NI residents stopped at border checkpoints as Covid-19 fines for entering RoI come into force

People in Northern Ireland will be handed a €100 fine if they cross the border into the Republic without a reasonable excuse.

The new regulations announced by the Gardaí on Friday are designed to stop people from entering the country for non-essential reasons amid the current pandemic.

Checkpoints have been set up along the border with Northern Ireland, with each vehicle being stopped and checked for the reasons of travel.

A spokesman for An Garda Síochána said: “An Garda Síochána wishes to advise people engaged in cross-border travel that from 7am on Monday 8 February 2021 anyone not ordinarily resident in this State engaging in travel in this jurisdiction without a reasonable excuse may be liable to receive a fine of €100.

“The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A-Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No.10) Regulations 2020, as amended, are currently in force.

“These regulations currently state, ‘any other person who is not ordinarily resident in the State shall not travel within a relevant geographical location without reasonable excuse.’

“An Garda Síochána has been consistent in our graduated policing response to supporting public health regulations and guidelines in line with our tradition of policing by consent.

Garda stop vehicles at a checkpoint on the Irish border between Emyvale and Aughnacloy. A number of Garda checkpoints have been operating along the border on Monday to enforce the new Covid-19 regulations. (Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

“This has seen Gardaí engage, explain, encourage and, as a last resort, enforce.

“From Monday, 8 February 2021, if enforcement is required, Gardaí will issue a Fixed Payment Notice (FPN) for €100 to every adult present who is in breach of this regulation.

“For example, if the driver of a car has two adult passengers then each of the three adults in the car will receive a €100 fine.”

The crackdown on intending holidaymakers is continuing too, with the gardaí revealing today that they have fined 375 people around the airport.

The spokesman added: “An Garda Síochána is also continuing to conduct checkpoints on access roads to airports and ports, as well as in departure areas, to check on whether people travelling to these locations are undertaking an essential journey.

“Travelling to an airport or port to take a holiday abroad is not an essential journey.

“Since 29 January 2021, Gardaí have issued approximately 375 fines at Dublin Airport to people for leaving the country for non-essential travel.”